If there's a local venue that hosts live jazz music, Andrew Jackson, a Ph. D. candidate in multicultural studies, will most likely be there.

The Andrew Jackson Soul Jazz Quartet plays at Tony's Big Easy, 129 1/2 S. Pugh St., at 6 p.m. every Friday, at the American Ale House and Grill, 821 Cricklewood Dr., every other Wed. and Bar Bleu, 114 S. Garner St., at 10 p.m. every Sat.

The Bar Bleu gig just started in December and is closer to a jazz showcase in which revolving musicians guest with drummer Jackson and his quartet.

The Showcase features Tim Powell on saxophone, Mac Himes on guitar and Jaime Gelabert on bass.

"It's just to keep things going," Jackson said. "It's a small venue, but it's been getting good reviews."

A recent Saturday night's performance featured members of Cliff Turner and the Afterburners guesting on the Quartet's set.

Jackson, a past member of local reggae act the Earthtones and a current member of another jazz ensemble, Urban Fusion, said sharing the stage with other talent is his favorite part of making music.

"We invite people up every week...as long as they keep in beat and stay in tune, I think most musicians wouldn't sit in if they couldn't handle that," Jackson said. "You either rise to the occasion or you aren't as good as you thought you were."

Some of his fondest memories from his days as an undergraduate were playing with other musicians.

"I remember when I lived in East Halls, we used to bring out drums and amps and just jam after dinner," Jackson said.

The Andrew Jackson Quartet plays jazz standards -- but they're never the same way twice.

"I like doing improvisational stuff," Jackson said. "That's why I like jazz, you can stretch out and jam."

Himes, who is working on his master's degree in music composition, plays with some other different local jazz artists, but he enjoys the interplay and cooperation of the musicians in the quartet.

"The last weekend we played it seemed like a move towards funkier, groovier stuff," Himes said. "It's a pretty flexible group. I enjoy the people in my group; they're all good friends, so we have a good time when we play."

The setup at Bar Bleu is perfect for jazz musicians, Himes said, because it reminds him so much of a jazz club in the larger cities.

"We aren't background music, we're really more up front," Himes said.

In this way, it's easier for the group to play to the audience and feed off its energy, he said.

"When the people get really into the music, we're trying to keep the intensity of the music up," Himes said.

Jackson agreed that the small size of Bar Bleu allows for a highly intimate show.

"Beulah's is small ... so we pack the house every Saturday," Jackson said.

Another aspect both the musicians love is that people can be entertained on a weekend night in State College, for only a minimal cover charge.

"The one thing about music is it doesn't have to cost a lot to have an evening and see a local group for a couple bucks," Jackson said. "I was in Seattle and it was $20 for a local jazz club."

Jackson said he enjoys playing jazz because he believes it will bring people together on gender, race, and cultural issues. When people are enjoying music, he said, its easier for them to discuss these complex problems.

"I think music will always be a way to bring people together," Jackson said. "It's going to be a while until people realize that."